Distributing-box for electric conduits.



im ran s'iarns rarnn'r onirica CLARENCE E. VAN DUZER, OF CEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TQ THE ADAPTI MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA A' TION OF OHIO.

DISTRIBUTING-BOX FCR ELECTRIC CONDUITS.

assenso.

To all 107mm it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. VAN DUZER, a citizen of the United States, re-

siding at Cleveland, in the county of Cuya- Aiioj ,2;a and State of Chio, have invented a Adesigned as teA be capable of beinginterchanged and re-arrange'd so as to -produce boxes of a' great many varieties for use under all conceivable situations with the employment of the smallest possible number of separate parts. Y l

.Another object-is the provision of a device ofv this characterwherein the partsv can be assembled into a. complete `device eX- actly as they come from the foundry and without the .necessity for expensive andA laborious machine work. n

Other objects of the invention are the provision of a device of this character which shall be susceptible of cheaper production and more convenient installation than hitherto known devices, and further objects Speccation of Iletters Patent.

Application led November 1, 1911.

and advantages will be pointed out in the course of the following description and claims.

Generally elements recited in the claims annexed hereto,'and illustrated'in the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof, wherein:

Figure l is a bottom plan view of a distributing box constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, the cover being partially removed and certain other parts being still further broken away to illustrate the mode of'construction; Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. l, lthe distributing box in this View being illustrated with an attachment f or a chandelier; Fig. 4 is a detail cross-sectional View taken along the line lf-A of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a similar View taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, one of the Wall sections having been removed; and Fig. 6 a perspecpeaking, -my invention may be defined as consisting'. of the combination of Serial No. 657,915.

ratenteairee, ie. ieri.

tive view of a modified form of wall sectionl i illustrating the preferred manner of secu-ring an insulating plate thereto.

Describing the parts by reference characters, l iiidicatesthe base ofmy improved distributing box, which is preferably made in the form of a circularcast plate, having around its periphery the' upturn'ed flange 2. The upper and. lower edges of this' flange are preferably beveled away as at 2 and 2b respectively, beveled edgesbeing left inthe form of a perpendicular wall as illustrated -at 2.

The side wall of the box is made of a plurality of arcuate segmental sections of equa-l` angular extent and of symmetrical formation as regards their meeting edges,`where' by they may be arranged -in any preferred 4manner about the periphery of4 the lbase member. In the present embodiment I'have' illustrated four such sections-'indicated by .65 the portion between the said L reference characters 8, 4, '5 and Gjrespec?a tively, each section subtending 'an' angle of degrees', although it is Vobvious that a greater or' smaller numberrof the sani'ecould be employed with equal facility. At its lower endI each of said wall sectionsis formed with a pair of spaced parallel'ribs 7 and 8, the inner faces of which are beveled complenientarily to the edges Quand 2b re# spectively. The adjacent ends of the sections are formed at the space betweeny said f ribs with semi-circular notches 9-9,` and" the 'flange 2 is formed with spaced threaded apertures 1,0 adapted for the receptionv ofscrews 11 whereby said sections may be clamped rigidly about said base member.

In order that the settingup'of these screws `f may tighten the joints between the adjacent wall sections in a workmanlike manner, I preferably upon a bevel as shown at l5', the inclination of said bevels being form thev ends of said sections Y progressivel about' the box Iwhereby the sections may 'be' assembled i in any desired relation. l

It will be obvious from the` foregoingthat',

since the screws l1 are secured at equal intervals around the base l,rv and since the sec.V

tions 3, 4, 5 andV 6 are of equal angular extent and symmetrical form, they canbe ai.

ranged in anypreferre'd order, and when so Y arranged can be drawn intotiglit4 and iirin' relation with each other by merclys'etting.

up lsaid screws. Certain of these wall merribers will be formed with hollow bosses 3 and a which can be suitably threaded or otherwise adapted fort-he reception of conduits 16 and 17 as illustrated, and said bosses can be of the same .or different sizesas ccn- 5 venient. Other sections as 4 can be provided with insulating bushings forthe'passage of electric wires, while other sections like 6 can be left bare. In the case of'sections which, like sections 3 and 5, are `.provided with bosses, the face of one of the bevels 15 is preferably substantially parallel with the axis of that boss so that the sections can be cast readily, the parting line of the casting coinciding with the outer surface of the section. The other bevel will make an angle with vthe first bevel equal to the angle subtended by the whole segment, in this`instance 90 degrees, and -the parting line will obviously fall upon this surface (see 15a). It will therefore be apparent that a box made in accordance with my invention cany be cast in finished form and assembled with a minimum ofmachine work, sincethe parting line of the casting will coincide with the outer'l surface of the section. The upper or free edges of thewall segments are formed at similar points with lugs or ears 20, the same being preferably apertured Afor the reception yof screws 21 whereby the co,ver 22 may be secured in place, and the symmetrical arrangement of these lugs will permit the application of the cover irrespective of the arrangement of the wall sections.

In'Fig. 3 I have illustrated a box, the bottom la ofA which is provided with a threaded axial boss 25 adapted for the receptionl of an electrolier or other pendant, the cover being omitted in accordance with the usual practice in such cases. The height of the flange 2 is preferably decreased somewhat intermediate the screw holes 10 in order that the passage through the bossesa and 5al be not impeded thereby, vand this port-ion 'of the box is preferably rounded on as shown at 26 in Fig. 3.

InfFig..6 I have illustrated the preferred method of securing an insulating plate to a wall section when it is desired to lead separate wires from the conduit to a fixture or motor adjacent thereto, and especially in `case three phase current be employed. In this view I have shown the section as provided with an oblong window opening 3'() having about its inner portion a ledge 31. A curved plate 32'of porcelain, fiber, vulcanite, or other suitable material is insetl 1n this window and secured therein by screws 33.threaded into the section and having their heads overlapping the edges of the. plate.

This plate can be perforated-for any convenient number of wires. as will be obvious.

It will be understood that I have employed the expressions top, bottom f upper,

lower, etc. in their ordinarily accepted.

meanings and not as relatinef'to theposition of the box when installed. When'the box is used as a ceiling outlet as shown in Fig. 3, it is installed inthe inverted position shown, but its use is not restricted to this position, as -willbe well understood'by those skilled' theart.` I

Thile Iliave necessarily described .my invention in detail, I do not proposeto be limitedt to such details, except. as the same may be positively included in the claims 4hereto annexed, or may be rendered necessary by the prior state .of the art.

\ I claim:

1. A distributing box for electric conduits, comprising, in combination, a circular plate 'gg having radial threaded apertures spaced at equal distances therearound, .segmental wall sections adapted to t aroundsaid plate and -to subtend t-he angle between adjacent apertures, the ends of said'sections being formed with notches adapted to register with said apertures and to. coperate with the similar notches of adjacent sect-ions in. forming screw-receiving apertures, and screws received in saidaperturesandhaving heads bearing against the adjacent outer walls of said sectionslwliereby saidsections are secured together and tofsaid circular plate.

2.' A'distributing'box for electric conduits, comprisingin combination, a 'metallic plate 95' having threaded apertures in its edge, segmental wall sections adapted to it together so as to surround said plate, the length of each section being such' as to cause it' to extend from the middle of one aperture-tothe middle of another aperture, the ends of said sections being formed with notches adapted to register with said apertures and to coperate with the similar notches of adjacent sections in forming screw-receiving apertures, 105 and screws received in said lapertures and having heads'bearing against the outer walls of said sections whereby said segments are clamped against the edge ofsaid plate.v

3. A distributing box for electric' conduits, 110

tions" having adjacent one edge a pair of spaced parallel ribs, the adjacent faces of said ribs being. inclined complementa'rily to the beveled edges 'of said plate, and .radial screws threaded into said plate and engag- 120 ing said wall sections whereby the latter are held 1n position. t 4. A distributing boxfor electric conduits, i comprising, in combination, a at metallic pia-.e having as edgsbeveieaa piurnay of 12S 'segmental wall sections adapted to surround said plate,'each of said wall sections having adjacent oneedge a seat shaped complementarily-to'the edge of said pla-te, and radial A screws threaded intc said plate between ad- .1.30

' said sections, and said lugs.

jacent wall sections and having their/heads overlapping said sections, said sect-ions being notched to vpermit the passage ofsaid screws.

passing through said notches, theeheads ofY said screws overlapping adjacent edges of" 'said wall 'sectionswhereby the latter arcsecured to' said-plate.

6. A distributing box for electric conduits, comprising, in combination,- a metallic plate having a. peripheral uptu-rned flange, the t0n and bottom of said fla-nge being 1oppositely lbeveled andfsaid flange being formed with spaced radial screw-receiving apertures, a

.plurality of segmental wall sections adapted to surround said plate, the length of such sections being such as to subtend the angle between the centers olf adjacent apertures,' and said sections haying notches at their ends adapted to register with saidA apertures, the inner sides 'of such sections-being formed with' grooved portions corresponding in -shape to the exterior of said flange, screws -in said apertures and having heads overlap-1 ping the exteriors of said sections, apertured lugs formed at the opposite edges o,- a cover member secured to '7. A distributing box for electric conduits," comprising, in combination, a metallic plate having aperipheral upturned ange, formed with spaced'radial screw-receiving apertures, a plurality of segmental Wall sections ladapt-` ed' to surround salidplate, the length vof such sect-ions being lsuch as 'to subtend the angle between the centers of adjacent'apertures,

and said sections .having notches at their ends adapted to register with said apertures, the inner sides ofsuch sections being formed with grooved portions corresponding in shape-to lthe exterior lof said iange,certain of said sections beingforrned` Wit-h external,

conduit receiving bosses, and, sani flange being partly cut away-between adjacent screw receiving apertures so as not to obstruct said conduits, screws in said apertures and havingheads overlappingthe exteriors ofsaid sections, apertured lugs formed at the' oppov site 'side edges of said sections, and a cover member secured to said lugs.

8.. A distributing box for electric conduits, comprising, in combination, a metallic plate having radial spaced apertures therein, a plurality of segmental'wall se'ctions'a'dapted vto surround saidfplate, the length-of each of :said sections being substantially equal to the distance between the centers of said' apertures, the ends of said sections being4 'beveled so as to overlap' each other andthe. angle .of lsuch bevels being' progressive aboutl ysaid plate, and screws secured in saidapertures and having heads, 'overlapping the 'outer surfaces of saidI sections whereby'the latter are secured to said plate.

9. A distributing box `forelectric conduits,

comprising, in combination, a metallic plate.

having radial spaced apertures therein, a l

plurality of segmental wall sectionsadapted to surround said plate, the length of each of saidsections being substantially equalto -the1distance between the. .centers ofsaid apertures, 'certain of said sections. being' for'med ,with radial'bosses, the meeting ends ofsaid sections being beveled whereby sald sections may overlap eachbthen'the angle of such bevel atonefside o'f said boss 'being not'less than suicient to render'said end' parallel with the adj'hacentside of said boss,

fand the surfaceof the opposite end of said section making an angle :with lsaid first e'nd substantiallmequal to the whole angle sud tended by said section, and screws securedzin' said. apertures andV having heads overlap` `.ping the' outer surfaces of said 'sections 'whereby said "sections are secured, tojsa-id platef.. In testimony, whereof, Ihereuntoaiiin my 'signature' in the presence of two witnesses.

vcmaniaci; E. DUZER.

VVitnessesi` i HAROLD. E. SMITH, BRENNAN B. WEST. 

